Your
Premature Baby and Child

An Interview
with Dianne Maroney, co-author

Interveiw by Allison Martin

Dianne Maroney is the coauthor of Your
Premature Baby and Child : Helpful Answers and Advice for Parents.
She has been a neonatal intensive care nurse for over 17 years. As a national
speaker, author, owner of www.premature-infant.com,
and member of many local and national organizations, she works with parents
and medical professionals advocating to further incorporate a parent perspective
and family needs into the care of the preterm infant and child. Dianne
Maroney has three children; her daughter was born 14 weeks early, in 1993.

What enticed you to write Your Premature Baby
and Child?

Dianne Maroney: Before the premature birth of my daughter, Mackenzie,
I had been a NICU nurse for over twelve years. I discharged many preemies
after teaching their parents how to give their infant a bath, take their
temperatures, etc., but I had no real knowledge of what caring for a
preemie at home truly meant. After Mackenzie was born and came home
from the hospital with so many problems related to her prematurity,
I quickly learned how difficult life as a preemie parent can be. I clearly
understood how critical it is for parents to have resources to help
them understand preemie issues and advocate for their childís health.
When Amy and I met in 1994, we began researching and working towards
filling the gap in the resources for preemie parents after the NICU,
and Your Premature Baby and Child was created.

How has your personal experience as a mother
influenced you and your writing?

Dianne Maroney: Being a mother of a premature infant is an extremely
challenging and yet very rewarding part of my life. Although Mackenzie
is now 6 and has only a few issues that are related to her prematurity,
she experienced many of the problems discussed in the book in her short
little life. She struggled for many years and yet her strength, courage,
and will to live has molded her into a beautiful little girl with a
sparkle in her eye and a smile that affects everyone she meets. Mackenzieís
spirit and the love and compassion of her brotherís Frankie (12) and
Michael (10) inspire me and the work I do every day.

What is the most important thing that parents
of children born prematurely should know?

Dianne Maroney: Parents need to understand that the trials of
having a premature infant do not end once they bring their preemie home
from the hospital. Yes, the critical weeks or months may be over, but
their babyís early birth may affect their lives for many months or even
years. As frightening as it may be at times, itís important to educate
yourself on the possible affects and find the resources (medical professionals,
books, internet sites, etc.) to help them if any problems do occur.
Hopefully, each parent will find a balance between keeping a watchful
eye and just plain enjoying their baby(s).

What are your future plans?

Dianne Maroney: My passion in life is to educate society on
the realities of having a premature infant both in the NICU and at home.
I do this by speaking nationally to parents and medical professionals,
maintaining my website (www.premature-infant.com),
working with the March of Dimes and many other organizations that affect
the care of premature infants and their families.